I too was scared of maintenance issues, but it is still solid as far as I can see. Have no hesitation buying an RS car, they are special toys just like ///M cars. I'll be keeping mine for a while until the F30 is looking attractive. TT RS will be a collectible for sure. I barely see a normal TTS on the streets as is

key question is, are the RS lines higher quality than the standard lines? I know for BMW, the E9x M3 is the highest quality BMW based on initial quality, the numbers are more in line with the upper bands of the highest quality cars. Now, the same can't be said with the standard 3,5 series cars, etc of the same year.

The other thing people need to realize is, quality varies year to year. There's a misconception that Toyota or Honda is the highest quality. Yeah maybe back in 1999, but every year, the top spots swap in and out, and same goes with the middle tier. So Audis of certain years, may be horrible, but it's rideculous to say they're consistently bad. Again, most initial quality numbers are based on total reported issues, there are breakdowns based on sub-models i.e. RS4, etc.

LOL, no if I was I would be driving a TT. Just kidding... dont get all spun up about it. It just so happens that most of the people I see driving them are female. I have worked on 6 or 7 of them and all for women. Just an observation.

In any case, is there any one on this forum who has owned both TT RS and E9x M3 and can compare? My M3 lease expires in less than 2 weeks, and if I don't buy out the M3, the Audi is a real possibility.

A very intelligent and well thought out argument. Just make sure you don't get your doors blown by one of these things...

I just made an honest statement... I see a lot of women driving TTs around Dallas. I would take an M3 any day of the week over a TT. To me there is no comparison. And as far as getting my doors blown of... well there are some Honda's running around that are incredibly fast... but they are still a Honda.

I really like the TT-RS, pricey for sure but a lot of performance. As far as practicality I think its a toss up. You give up some space for 4 driven wheels. Thats how I look at it anyway. Audi's are awesome in the snow, something my M3 will never be but thats only about 20% of the year, so.... Manly? Really? You'll think twice about the manly thing when a man drives circles around you on the track in his girly Miata. A TT/Miata etc are chick cars when a chick is driving one. Are people that insecure that if they think if they get behind the wheel of a certain car they'll be drawn to interior decorating? Yikes. You're a "man" when you drive whatever the hell you want.

I really like the TT-RS, pricey for sure but a lot of performance. As far as practicality I think its a toss up. You give up some space for 4 driven wheels. Thats how I look at it anyway. Audi's are awesome in the snow, something my M3 will never be but thats only about 20% of the year, so.... Manly? Really? You'll think twice about the manly thing when a man drives circles around you on the track in his girly Miata. A TT/Miata etc are chick cars when a chick is driving one. Are people that insecure that if they think if they get behind the wheel of a certain car they'll be drawn to interior decorating? Yikes. You're a "man" when you drive whatever the hell you want.

Well why dont you sell your 997 and M3 and get one. If you are that secure in yourself and that sure the car wil run laps around everyone... why have all that money tied up into two cars when you can have 1 badass car... and a manly one at that?

By the way I do some work for a couple of Audi dealerships here and I am amazed at how they are always slammed in the service area. Seems like these cars have a lot of issues (Audis in general) or there are a hell of a lot of Audi drivers here. I would think I would see more driving around if that were the case. I would like and S5 or an R8 though.

Well why dont you sell your 997 and M3 and get one. If you are that secure in yourself and that sure the car wil run laps around everyone... why have all that money tied up into two cars when you can have 1 badass car... and a manly one at that?

By the way I do some work for a couple of Audi dealerships here and I am amazed at how they are always slammed in the service area. Seems like these cars have a lot of issues (Audis in general) or there are a hell of a lot of Audi drivers here. I would think I would see more driving around if that were the case. I would like and S5 or an R8 though.

Current issue of Car and Driver has TT RS lap time at VIR as faster than the E9x M3.

But I've decided against getting a TT RS because I'm insecure in my masculinity and was afraid of being called a girl even as I lapped M3s. Actually, I don't give a rat's ass about how manly or not a car looks, I just felt that I liked my M3 more. Much more practical as a DD, especially since I have the E90. TT RS feels very cramped. Also, it has a very light clutch which I didn't like so much.

LOL, no if I was I would be driving a TT. Just kidding... dont get all spun up about it. It just so happens that most of the people I see driving them are female. I have worked on 6 or 7 of them and all for women. Just an observation.

Yeah and I've seen A LOT of women driving 335i , it does'nt mean a M3 is a girly car ! If you knew your cars a bit more , you would not compare RS vs normal Audi !

It came down to an e92 m3 or a tt-rs for me. Both individual paint and European delivery either way.

Decided to go with the smaller lighter choice as I don't value comfort or space. Plus the tt-rs is significantly more rare. I'll still have my '00 m-coupe and 05 m3 so it's not like I'll be missing out on rear wheel drive.

What would be some downsides to an TTRS? Other than being a chick car (you all are nuts)

I'm moving to Colorado springs and the 135i isn't the best choice for the weather. And an M3/5 is again out the window with RWD. But I have been a performance junkie since I raced dirtbikes in the early 90s

What would be some downsides to an TTRS? Other than being a chick car (you all are nuts)

Interior space is small. I wasn't wild about the clutch pedal which felt very light, even lighter than the M3 clutch. Also, the clutch pedal position felt like it was just slightly too much to the right, but that may be a function of the smaller interior space. The shifter was much smoother than M3.

Also, I think dealers are looking to get a premium for these cars.

Other than that, I don't really see a downside. The major factor in most guys' minds is that they're worried about having to explain constantly that a TTRS is not a chick car.